Cable railway



(No Model.) 3 Sheets-'Sheet' 1l.

A. H. MATHESIUS.

CABLE RAILWAY.

No. 432,757. l Patented July 22. 1890.

fNo Model.)

3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

A. H. MATHBSIUS.

CABLE RAILWAY.

Patented July 22, 1890.

(No Modem 3 sheets-sheet a.

A. H.V MATHESIUS.

CABLE RAILWAY No. 432,757. Patnted July 22, 1890.

'Unire Frames Fari-nar einen.

ALEXANDER H. MATHESIUS, OF BROOKLYN, NEXV YORK.

CABLE RAILWAY.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 432,757, dated July 22, 1890.

Application filed May 7, 1885. v Serial No. 164,628. (No model.)

To all wtom t 11mg/ con/cern.-

Be it known that I, ALEXANDER HUeo MA- THESIUS, of Brooklyn, county of Kings, and

State of New York, have invented certain newand useful Improvements in Oable Railways, of which the following is a full, clear, and eX- act description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, 'and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon.

My invention has relation to means for propelling cars through the medium of an endless rope or cable which is supported on rollers in a covered tube and connected with the car by means of a eablc-grip which is located outside of the tube, and it (the invention) also relates to certain apparatus .or certain appliances to be used in connection with the endless-railway system.

Among the objects of my invention are the provision of simple and eiiective means for connecting the ear with the cable, for keeping the tube closed before and after the car, for operating the various attachments or adjuncts, and especially the adaptation of the system for ready application upon aroad-bed or railway already laid out or constructed, as well as for securing other advantages, as will hereinafter appear. To accomplish these objects my improvements involve certain novel and useful arrangements or colnbinations ot' parts, peculiarities ot' construction, and principles of operation, all of which will be herein iirst fully described, and then pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, Figure l is an end view'showing the tube open, with the grip holding the cable` in elevated position and illustrating part of the connections. Fig. 2 is a side view showing the interior of the tube and the grip with all its connections. Fig. 3 is a plan View showing car ou a curve, with grip, depressing-rollers, and cover opener and closerin position. Fig. 4 is a plan view showing connections for grip, depressing-rollers, and cover-open er. Fig. is an end view showing covered tube on' a larger scale than in previous figures. Fig. 6 is an end view showing the inclined planes ot' the pyramids of the cover-opener in position in an open tube. Fig. 7 is an end view of open tube, with ven tical guide-sheave and guard or apron in position. Fig. 8 is a side view of the apron. Fig. 9 is a side view showing section of cover and brace with a hole to receive cover-fastener, which is secured to the base or side of the tube. Fig. l0 is a side viewshowing cover opener and closer and depressing-rollers in position in their frame. Fig. ll is an end view of depressingaollers, cover-opener, and cover-closer from end opposite Fig. (i. Fig. l2 is a plan view of depressingroller, cover opener and closer, and frame. Fig. 13 is an end view ottube, showing the cover made in one piece instead of in two sections. Fig. 14; represents a side and end View ol a combination guide-sheave. Fig. 15 represents an end and plan view of a swivel-nut. Fig. 16 represents a plan and end view of guide and guide-sheave for tensioncar. Fig. 17 represents a plan and end view of a portion of the grip. Fig. 1S represents a plan and side view of a link of the chain vused in connection with the grip. Fig. l!) represents an end, side, and plan view of one of the grip-dies as used with the chain-guide.

In all these figures like letters and numbers of reference indicate `corresponding parts wherever they occur.

Connection is made with the rope or cable by a cable-grip located outside of the tube wherein the cable moves. l provide the tube with a cover, which swings on the lower end of its brace, the cover being opened and closed byinclined planes, of which the lowermost are faces of pyramids, which are secured to a frame fastened upon the lower ends of arms suspended from the bottom of the car. A space is lett between the`inclined planes to accommodate rollers, which depress the rope or cable to such level as to keep it from contact with the tubecover, which is closed outside of each arm. To prevent snow or any foreign matters from drittingin at the uncovered space between the arms, and also to prevent the cover from closing in that space,

and also to retain the cable at its proper relation-with respect to the tube when going around a curve, l suspend an apron from suitable points of the lifting device, which apron is made of a suitable form to allow the rope or cable to be lifted to the grip. The

IOO

lsion of the rope.

grip shown herein is in some respects an improvement on that covered by my patent, No. 287,451, dated October 80, 1883, Each end of the improvedgrip is provided with suitable rollers or guides to resist the downward ten- Diagonal braces serve to hold the grip in its proper position, the lower ends of -said braces being fitted to the grip and secured by intermediate bolts to one end each of right-angled cranks or levers, which are operated by a right and left handed screw.

'Io the upper endsl of the diagonal braces adj Listing-screws are applied,\vliich have their opposite ends jointed to the lower ends of the arms'which carry the frame for the depressing-rollers, and the inclined planes for opening and closing the tube-cover. By turning the hand-wheel which is attached to the horizontal right and left handed screw the grip, apron, depressing-rollers, and inclined planes are lowered or elevated to the position desired, and, if desired, the rope may be picked up by the grip in places upon the roadway which may be provided for that purpose, or all the attachments may be lifted high enough to entirely clear the tube and track. Two rods with rollers attached to theirlower ends are suspended from the right-angled cranks in a .proper position to be lowered into the tube and litt-the rope to the grip; but this is only an auxiliary lift and intended to be used when the rope has to be dropped from the grip for any cause whatsoever, the tube being altogether too narrow to admit the grip to the level of the rope within the tube. These lifts are brought .into requisition by placing pins or bolts into holes provided for that purpose in the upper ends of the diagodies locates the roller underthe rope, and the rope may betheu lifted by turning the handwheel of the horizontal right and left handed screw, bringing the rope to the proper level of the grip. The grip is opened and closed by acombination of toggle-joints and a right and left handed screw.

To secure the easy moving of the grip-dies bythe traveling rope, I make the faces of the jaws which press the dies together tangent to compound curves. The smallercurve may be part of a roller which carries the dies around the ends, or the ends may be left solid and the dies compelled to slide around. The advantage which I obtain by this compound 'curve is that it enables me to make the grip 'more compact than in previous forms andv consequently adapted for use in a smaller space. The wear of the dies is taken up by lwhich guides the rope around a curve.

screws and nuts of or on the eyebolts which hold the jaws together. i

I make the guide-sheaves of several revolving plates in such manner that when the circumference is fitted to suit the rope each plate is free to move with a velocity corresponding to its radius, thereby obviating the slipping of the rope, as occurs on the solid sheave, which slipping is due to the fact that the diameters of various parts of the concave curve are of different lengths. The smaller sizes of these sheaves I mount on friction-rollers, but the largersizes may be fitted loosely to a shaft which revolves in journal -boxes', or constructed by mounting loose rings upon the spider of an ordinary sheave. In cases where the rope is to be deflected from a straight line several of these small sheaves are placed on the circumference of a frame in such a way that the angle they make with each other is a minimum. In cases where the shaft revolves in jou rnal-boxes, I recess the shaft and iit on the lower side of the journal-box a corresponding projection. The outsidel ends of the journal-boxes are then closed and fitted as oil-reservoirs. Vhere the tracks are a considerable distance apart at the return or loop of the rope, I place a tension-wheel mounted on a car under one or each of the tracks and take up the side strain bya guide parallel to the rails upon which the tension-car is placed. A projection on the car maybe made to slide against the guide-rail, or guide-wheels may be mounted upon suitable points of the tension-car.

Referring now to the parts specially delineated in Fig. l, l l is the tube, made of any material and of any suitable shape. This tube may be placed upon the cross-ties of any ordinary horse-railway or other railway and the intermediate spaces fitted as may be desired. The tube shown herein is intended to be made of rolled flanged iron, of which the sides may be secured by cross and diagonal braces. It may have a solid bottom, if desired. The upper faces have shoulders l', which serve' as stops to cover2. The cover is provided on the under side with flanges, as

' 2', which engage with stops lwhen the tube is closed.

The cover swings on lower ends of braces 3, which are arranged at the interior of the tube. It will be observed that these braces alone could beV made to serve as a cover; but the spaces between them and the sides of the tube would become filled with dirt, snow, or ice, o., and would become inoperative. The cover could be hinged and l the brace left free to swing, but I prefer the general arrangement shown. 4 represents a horizontal sheave of any approved pattern, 5 is the rope raised out of the tube to suit the position of the grip. 6 are vertical guiderollers, which resist part of the vertical strain of the rope. tical, inclined, or horizontal position. If ver,- tieal, they are made in halves to enable. the

IOO

IIO

They may be mounted in .verr cable to be connected with the grip. I may use for this purpose movable dies similar to those employed in the grip and mounted in a suitable frame to travel in a vertical plane, or I may use the improved sheave, which will be referred to farther on. 7 is the grip ot my improved pattern. 7 is the draw-bolt, which serves the double purpose of connecty ing the grip-jaws together by passing through of rods 9.

the eyebolts, and also of connecting the gripping device to the bar by means of the diagonal braces. 8 are eyebolts with screws, which hold the grip-jaws together and by which the wear of the dies is adjusted. 10 are links which connect the upper ends ot' the grip together. Between the middle joints are right and left handed screw-nuts, (shown in detail in Fig. 15,) which are titted to the lower ends By turning the hand-wheel the links will approach or recede from each other, and thereby open or close the grip. The links, as shown, form a double toggle-joint, and their advantage over asingle toggle-joint is that the pressu re4 which is by them applied to the grip is not transmitted to any outsideV attachments, and the attachments may therefore be made lighter and cheaper. The friction is also less than in the case ot a single toggle, `whereby the grip may be operated easier and quicker, as will be readily understood. 11 are stringers upon which the rails are secured, 12 the cross-ties which serve as a foundation for the tube, 13 the car-wheels, and 14 their axles. 15 are the floor-sills ot' the car, to which the grip attachments are secured. 16 is a standard, by which rod 9 is held in a vertical position. 17 are the bent or right-angled levers, which are operated through the medium of the right and left handed screw 1S and nuts 18 and handwheel 19.

In Fig. 2,21 2l are diagonal braces attached at their lower ends to grip 7 by draw-bolt 7 and connected to the right-angled levers 17 by suitable pins or bolts. 22 are adjustingscrews for the frame of the depressing-rollers, the upper ends of which screws are provided with screw-nuts secured to the diagonals by a swivel, (like that shown in Fig. 15,) thelower ends being secured to the arms 23, which are suspended from lugs 241. Allthese connections are held iu their proper position or moved n p or down by the right and lett handed screw 18, which is operated by handwheel 19. 8O 30 are auxiliary lifts, made ot' rods provided with handles 30', stops 30, and rollers 30". When not in service, they may be removed or turned to a position so that the rollers shall clear the rope; but when intended to be used and lowered to the level of the rope, handles 30 are turned a quarter turn, which locates stops 30 in the recesses 30W. In this position ot the lifts the rope can be raised to the proper level for the grip by first disconnecting 21 from 17.

In Fig. 3 are shown the frames which hold ing, and 27 those for closing, the cover.

or carry the depressing-rollers 29 and inclined planes ot cover opener and closer 27 under the center of the axles of the car\vheels. These parts are shown more in detail in Figs 10, 11, and 12. p

It is evident that when the rope is guided or held in position under the center of the car-axles the car may pass around or along a curve without disturbing the relative positions ot the axis ot the tube and the rope, and it is immaterial wh ether the tube islocated midway between the tracks or on one side of the middle line. On railroads without curves the d eprcssin g-rollers and attachments are located nearer the en ds et the ear for the purpose ot reducing the vertical strain on the depressingrollers and the grip. It will be understood that this strain would be equalized were it not for the weight et the rope, and it has no effect on the traction of the car.

In Fig. i, 7is thcdraw-bolt, which connects the gri p-j aws, and 8 8 are the adj usting-screws. rlhe ends ot bolt 7 are threaded, and screwnuts secure the swivel-ttings, (see Fig. 15,) to which the diagonal braces 21 are connected.

In Fig. 5 the tube is shown as closed. 1 are cover-fasteners, which are secured to the base of the tube. Aholeisprovidedin brace 3, which receives a shoulder on the fastener, and the arrangementis such, as indicated, as will prevent the cover from being liftedfrom the outside.

In Fig. (i, 27 are the inclined planes for open- The frame is provided with rollers 31 and a pin 32, which is secured to theiframe by trunnions for the purpose of accommodating itself to the angle or bend ot the rope when raised to the grip. The upper end of pin 32 is Fitted to arm 2S (see Figs. 2, 23, and l) and free to movein a horizontal plane, which it is forced to do by the tension ot the rope when going around a curve.

In Fig. 7 is shown an end view of an open tube with vertical guide-sheave 33 in position. The sheave is provided with shaft 34:,that has its journal recessed around its circumference, and into this recess is iitted a projection, which forms part of a journatbox bearing. By closing the outside of thisjournal-boX and allowing a space between the end of the shaft and the box a reservoir SG is formed., which may be partially `tilled with a lubricant. The projection, which is fitted in the recess of the journal,prevents anythiugbelow its level from liowin g out. 37 is a guard or apron made of sheet-iron and suspended bysuitable connections from any convenient part of the lifting apparatus, its o'llice being to prevent the cover from closing under the car between the depressinguollers and to prevent snow, dsc., from drifting into the tube. j

In Fig. 8 the apron or shield is shown in side elevation.

In Fig. 9 the cover and its brace are shown detached from the tube and in side elevation,

TOO

IIO

` elevating-incline 27 and depressing-incline 27 to project a certain distance over and under the closed cover in order that the cover may be opened sufficiently to allow the center part of the frame to ride clear of it. Between the inclines are shown sections of cover 2, which are in position to be opened or closed, as the case may be.

In Fig. 11 is shown the cover-opener and the construction of the frame and position of one of the guide-sheaves 29 therein, and in Fig. 12 the same parts are represented in plan.

In Fig. 13 the brace 3 is made to sustain a single cover 2, adapted to protect the upper mouth of the tube and resting on both margins thereof. In this form the brace is used to strengthen the cover, and it may swing l about the lower end of the brace orbe hinged rope or cable, the grip secured to the car, and means for holdingor guiding the cable in the plane passing through the centers of the carto one side ofthe tube. In the latter case the brace is not required to reach to the base of the tube.

In Fig. 14 the guide-sheave is shown as made of separate plates and the whole connected by shaft 38 and flanges 39. The side view shows the sheave mounted on friction-rollers; but, as before stated, in some cases the spider of an ordinary sheave may be used and rings fitted to the circumference thereof, which construction will be the equivalent of that specially illustrated.

In Fig. 15 the swivel-connection is shown in detail. I use this` form to connect the links and screws, as right and left handed screw 18 with right-angled `levers 17, or diagonal braces 21 with adjusting-screws 22.

In Fig. 16 the tension-car is provided with a guide-roller B, which moves against a guide or way A, placed parallel to the track upon which the tension car moves. The cable passes around the large sheave B', and any strain thereon tending to force the car side- Wise is transmitted to the guide A through roller B, and thus the car is firmly held to its proper position on the tracks.

In Fig. 17 C and D are radii of portions of the compound curve before alluded to, which curve is made up of several short curves tangent one to the other. The dies E are independent of each other and are prevented from leading the jaws by chains F F,which embrace the shoulders G G of the dies. This method of holding the dies in place has this advantage--that the wear is removed from the chains entirely, and consequently the only expense for repairs of the grip will be the refurnishing or recutting of the independent dies; also, by using the chains, one on each side of the dies, the dies can be made considerably lighter than otherwise, and this isl of special advantage, because it diminishes the inertia of the dies and consequently thewear on the dies as well as on the cable.

In Figs. 18 and 19 the links and dies are shown in detail.

Having now fully vdescribed my invention', what I claim as new herein, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The combination of a cableetube, movable covers for the same, a cable located in said tube, and a cable-grip supported` on the car outside of the tube and formed of jaws which are applied to the cable above the tube,

' substantially as set forth.

2. The combination of a cablegtube,m`ovable covers for the same, a cable located inl said tube, a cable-grip supported on the car outside of the tube and formed of jaws which l are applied to the cable above' the tube,- and a cover-opener attach-ed to the car in front of the grip for opening the covers to permit the j passage of the cable from the tube to the grip, I substantially as set forth.

3. The means of propelling cars around curves, the same consisting of the endless axles.

4. The combination of the diagonal braces, with a tube placed on the cross-ties of a streetrailway for the purpose of retaining the sides ofthe tube in their proper positions.

5. The stops or shoulders combined with the tube, for the purpose of securing the closed covers in their proper positions, the covers being arranged to swingaround axes located within the tube.

6. In a cable railway, the outside horizontal flange combined with the cable-tube, for the purpose of strengthening the tube and permitting easy removal of foreign matters by theopening of the tube-cover.

7. The interior -braces combined with the cover of the tube, said tube being located on top of theL cross-ties of a street or surface railway.

8. The combination, with the tube having the movable covers, of the interior braces, substantially as shown and'described.

9. The combination of the tube, the movy able covers, and the interior braces, the covers being arranged to swing around the lower ends of the braces.

. 10. The shoulders or stopsV combined with the tube and movable covers,` for the purpose of securing the covers in proper position when closed.

11. The combination, with a cable-tube, of tube-covers having downwardly-extending shoulders projecting over the top edge of the tube, substantially as set forth. A

12. The pyramids for opening the tu'becovers, the same being constructed and arranged substantially as shown.

Ioo

IIO

13. The inclined surfaces locatedparallel with the upper sides of the pyramids, for the purpose of closing the tube-cover.

14. The frame containing the depressing`- rollers, the pyramids, and inclined planes attached to said frame, and all combined substantially as shown.

l5. The pin combined with the truunions which connect the pending arms with the frames, to permit horizontal and vertical movement of the frame and its iittings.

16. The adj ustable pending arms combined with the frame, for the purpose of allowing` a vertical adjustment of the depressingrolt ers, pyramids, and inclined planes.

17. The combination, with the cable-grip, of the right and let't handed screw arranged to raise and lower said grip, substantially as explained.

18. The combination, with the cable-grip, of the right and left handed screw and the bent levers, for t-he purposes explained.

19. The combination, with the cable-grip, of the bent levers and the diagonal braces, for the purposes explained.

20. The combination, with the cable-grip,V

of the bent levers, right and left handed screw, and diagonal braces, for the purposes explained.

2l. The combination, with the auxiliary lift, of the 'right and left handed screw for raising` and lowering said lift.

22. The combination, with the auxiliary lift, of the right and left handed screw and the bent levers, for the purposes explained.

23. The right and left handed screw combined with the cover openers and closcrs, for the purpose of raising and lowerin the same.

24;. The combination, with the depressingrollers, of the right and left handed screw for the purpose of raising and lowering the same.

25. The combination, with the depressingrollers, of the right and left handed screw and the bent levers, for the purposes explained.

26. The combination, with the grip, of the right and left handed screw and double toggle-joint for opening and closing the grip.

. 27. The combination, with the grip, of' the double toggle-joint, for the purpose explained.

28. The chains embracing the movable dies of the grip and combined therewith, for the purposes set forth.

29. In a cable-grip composed of two parts, each having movable dies, the combination, with said parts and dies, of the two independent chains holding the dies together.

30. In combination with a cable-grip hav ing movable dies and chains, a concave guideroller composed of plates arranged to move as described, so that each plate travels with a velocity in proportion to the radius of the plate for the purpose of relieving the dies or chain of vertical pressure, as set forth.

31. The guide-sheavdmade up of plates or rings, arranged, as explained, so that each plate may move independently of the others, for the purposes explained.

32. In combination with the guide-sheaves, made of plates or rings, friction-rollers mounted upon the shaft and arranged to operate, as set forth.

In combination with the endless cable of a cable railway, sheaves or wheels for supporting said cable having their journals grooved, and the boxes for supporting the journals being provided with elevations for retaining the lubricant.

34:. In combination with the endless cable ot a cable road and the tension-car, the guide to retain said car upon its track, arranged substantially as shown and described.

In a cable railway employing an end less cable running in a covered tube, the combination, with the main grip, of the auxiliary lift arranged substantially as explain ed and adapted to enter the covered tube and to elevate the cable to the main grip, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

3 lhetube-opener provided with depressing-rollers for taking up the vertical and horizontal strain of the cable when the car moves around a curve, substantially as set forth.

37. The combination, with a cable-tube, of a laterally-1novable cover and a diagonal brace attached to said cover and adapted to swing on its lower edge within the tube, substantially as set forth.

38. The combination, with a cable-tube, of two laterally-movable half-covers and diag onal braces attached to the under side of the said half-covers and adapted to swing on their lower edgeV within the tube, substantially as set forth.

39. The combination of a cable-grip having a die-seat which is formed of straight parallel sides, rounded-off ends, and compound curves having radii of different lengths located intermediately between the sides and ends, with movable dies guided insaid seat, substantially as set forth.

, 40. The combination, with the sheaves which support the cable of a cable railway, of journal-boxes and oil-reservoirs which are formed by extensions of the lower halves of the journal-boxes, substantially as set forth.

All. The combination, with the cable-grip,

of eyebolts for holding the grip-jaws together and for adjusting said jaws to the dies, sub-A stantially as set forth.

42. The combination, with a cable-grip, of a draw-bolt passing through the eyebolts of the grip, substantially as set forth.

in testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two witnesses.

ALEXANDER Il. MATHESIUS. Witnesses:

Jenn B UcKLER, WORTH Oscoop.

IOO

IIO

eme?

Correeiion in Letters Patent No.

It is hereby ertied that in Letters Patent No. 432,757, grante J uly 22, 1890, upon the application of Alexander H. Mathesiuaof Brooklyn, New York, for an improvement in Cable-Railways, an 4error appears in the printed specification requiring the following oorreotion, viz: In line/,95, page 4, the Word plane should read planes,- and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed, oountersig-ned, and sealed this 19th day of August, A.. ID. 1890.

OYRUS BUSSEY, Assistant Secretary of the Interior.

[SEAL] Countersigned ROBERT J. FISHER,

Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

